Threshold anchor device

ABSTRACT

A prefabricated ready-to-use doorframe construction characterized, broadly stated, by a pair of opposed spaced parallel wooden frame members fashioned into and providing a pair of doorjambs, prefabricated threshold means embodying an inside doorsill spanning the space between and having its ends oriented with and cooperatively abutting corresponding lower end interior surface portions of the aforementioned doorjambs and individual anchoring adapter or devices secured to coordinating end portions of said threshold means and also secured to coacting lower end portions of said doorjambs usually by way of screw-threaded headed fasteners.

United States Patent [191 Donaldson .Dec. 18, 1973 THRESHOLD ANCHOR DEVICE [76] Inventor: Tommie C. Donaldson, Rt. 3, Box

1156, Odessa, Tex. 79763 221 Filed: July 17,1972

211 Appl. No.: 272,220

[52] US. Cl. 49/380, 49/469 [51] Int. Cl E06b 1/04 [58] Field of Search 49/380, 467-471 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,426,479 2/1969 Pease, Jr 49/380 3,013,3l4 12/1961 Beltz et al. 49/469 3,0l4.253 l2/l96l Manville 49/469 258,486 5/1882 Singer 49/471 3,032,837 5/1962 Ramsey 49/469 X Primary Examiner-Mervin Stein Assistant ExaminerPhilip C. Kannan Att0rneyHarvey B. Jacobson et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT A prefabricated ready-to-use doorframe construction characterized, broadly stated, by a pair of opposed spaced parallel wooden frame members fashioned into and providing a pair of doorjambs, prefabricated threshold means embodying an inside doorsill spanning the space between and having its ends oriented with and cooperatively abutting corresponding lower end interior surface portions of the aforementioned doorjambs and individual anchoring adapter or devices secured to coordinating end portions of said threshold means and also secured to coacting lower end portions of said doorjambs usually by way of screw-threaded headed fasteners.

2 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures THRESHOLD ANCHOR DEVICE The present invention relates to a door-equipped doorframe assembly of a ready-to-install type wherein,-

in actual practice, the doorframe comprises a pair of spaced parallel vertical frame members whose upper ends are joined by a header or lintel and whose normally unconnected lower ends are adapted to accommodate a prefabricated conventional-type threshold structure.

More specifically the concept pertains to a doorframe of the aforementioned type which has an attached ready-to-install door and wherein a separate threshold structure is, in keeping with present prevailing practice, furnished and installed at the job site.

For background information, it should be set forth at the outset of the disclosure that a prefabricated factory-type door unit, as presently purchased for readied use in a building of any type is characterized by a header or lintel, two side jambs or frame members attached to and depending therefrom and a companion door, the bottom of the structure being left open for the threshold to be installed separately when installing and mounting the unit on a concrete or an equivalent floor. In keeping with prevailing practice, a metal threshold, equipped with a vinyl Weatherstrip has to be purchased separately and must necessarily fit into its intended locale with requisite nicety. At the present time the purchased threshold unit can only be installed after the door and frame assembly has been correctly set in the door opening provided therefor. Also, and at the present time, there is no acceptably practical way to mount a threshold, that is, at the factory, in a doorframe and assembly for use on concrete floors. This perplexing and time-consuming procedure has to be done on the job at the site of installation.

For further and also background information, it is to be pointed out that the procedure currently followed is to purchase the door and frame assembly atthe factory and set the same in the door opening provided therefor. The threshold installer, usually a carpenter, will then install the threshold as an individual component or part. This method and means is manifestly tedious, quite expensive and time-consuming inasmuch as it calls for the services of a special tradesman, if available, and, in addition, appropriate tools, mason bits, lead anchors and, in addition, a satisfactorily fine saw blade. Installation necessitates drilling some five, more or less, holes in the concrete floor to correspond with existing holes in the metal or equivalent threshold and installing lead anchors in the drilled holes. The threshold means is then screwed to the lead anchors. Then, too, the bottom edge of the door must be cut on a slant to fit the threshold as closely as is permissible. It is frequently and sometimes acceptable practice to make inaccurate cuts with the tools at hand. Accordingly, an unsatisfactory result is attained due to the fact that the threshold may permit the passage of unwanted air, dirt, water and may even allow bugs and insects to enter the premises.

An object of the present invention is to fabricate and complete the overall assembly at the factory. In carrying out the principles of the present invention the threshold anchor device can be reliably used to secure the threshold in its required place at the bottom of the doorjamb at the factory after which the door can be precut at approximately the same time using precision machines and assuring a tight, snug and accurate fit when the overall assembly is installed on the job. Thus,

with the threshold correctly anchored in place between i the lower ends of the doorjambs and the door duly cut to fit, a purchaser can pick up the overall ready-toinstall assembly, including the threshold means and set it with satisfactory assurance in the door opening provided therefor. It follows that the innovation herein disclosed is an advance in the art and well serves its intended purposes by reason of the fact that a factory installed threshold structure virtually eliminates ruinously or splintered doors and needless difficulties which involve labor costs and attending troublesome difficulties.

Briefly the concept pertains to a ready-to-use doorframe construction embodying the aforementioned opposed spaced parallel wooden or equivalent frame members fashioned into and providing companion doorjambs and wherein prefabricated threshold means embodying an inside doorsill and other structural features spanning the space between and having its ends oriented with and cooperatively abutting corresponding lower end portions of the respectively cooperable jambs, and, in combination, individual anchoring adapters or devices secured to coordinating end portions of the threshold means as well as the coacting lower end portions of the doorjambs.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the lower notched end portions of a pair of wooden frame members or jambs seated on a floor surface, showing the threshold meansinterposed between the lower end portions and, what is more significant, one of the aforementioned -anchoring adapters or devices and how it is installed and used.

FIG. 2 is a suitably enlarged view taken approximately on the plane of the central section line 2-2 of FIG. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 3 is a cross section at right angles to FIG. 2 and taken on the plane of the section line 33 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of one end portion of the threshold means and which has an end portion of the insertable and removable weatherstrip broken away in a manner to show the attached tongue (in phantom lines) of one of the anchoring adapters.

FIG. 5 is a view in perspective of the anchoring adapter by itself.

As pointed out the prefabricated factory type door assembly or unit as presently purchased for any type of a building is of more or less conventional construction. The essence of the invention resides in the anchoring adapters or brackets, by themselves and in combination with other parts, the views of the drawing omitting certain of the parts such as for example, the header or lintel of the doorframe, and also the hingedly mounted door. Under the circumstances it will suffice, it is submitted, to merely show the lower end portions 8 of the opposed vertically disposed spaced parallel wooden or equivalent frame members or doorjambs 10. The immediate interior surfaces which come into service here are denoted at '12. The aforementioned prefabricated threshold means is denoted at 14 and is shown in FIGS.

1, 2 'and 3 in its installed ready-to-function position.

This means 14 is of ordinary construction and embodies an inside beveled sill 16, an outside longitudinally ribbed tread plate 18 and an intervening body portion 20 having an upwardly opening channel therein to accommodatingly seat and retain the convex compressibly resilient Weatherstrip 22. As brought out in FIG. 3 the sides of the channel are provided with grooves 24 to accommodate the longitudinal keying flanges 26.

It will be understood therefore that the doorframe, as such is old and that the threshold means 14 may be and preferably is of one-piece metal or equivalent construction with a renewable Weatherstrip. The inside and outside components of the threshold means are brought out in FIGS. 1 and 2 and emphasized in particular in FIG. 3.

It is reiterated that it is customary practice to purchase the door and frame assembly at the factory and to set the same into the door opening provided therefor after which the threshold installer, usually a carpenter, then goes about installing the threshold in keeping with his ability to do so.

Bearing in mind the background aspect of the concept as already set forth, it willbe clear that the innovation is achieved through the utilization of a pair of like adapter devices or brackets which serve as anchors and each of which is made of strap metal as shown in FIG. and is suitable for the purpose. The adapter shown is denoted by the numeral 28 and is sometimes referred to as a bracket. It is made from one piece of suitable strap metal one end portion of which is fashioned into and provides a tongue or tang 30. This part 30 is provided with holes 32 to accommodate the nut retained screwthreaded headed fasterners as brought out in FIG. 2 and denoted at 34. The tongue underlies the associated portion of the threshold means, that is the body portion as evident from the views of the drawing particularly FIGS. 3 and 4. The end portion which projects beyond the associated end of the threshold means is bent and fashioned into a stirrup-like seat. One vertical leg is denoted at 36 and has fastener holes 38. The other somewhat longer and vertically disposed leg is denoted at 40 and it too is provided with holes 42 for screws or other equivalent fasteners such as denoted at 44 in FIG. 1. The fasteners in the holes are denoted at 46 in FIG. 3. The web portion 48 which joins the legs is seated on the floor surface and, as a matter of fact, is seated in a shallow keeper notch which is provided in the doorjamb in the manner shown at 50 in FIG. 1 in particular.

It is submitted that the threshold anchor device herein disclosed will, at long last, function to standardize the door manufacturing and handling procedures particularly with respect to width and length requirements. It follows that the invention well serves the purposes for which it has been evolved and produced.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

I claim:'

1. For use atop a floor in a prepared doorway, a ready-to-use doorfrarne construction embodying a pair of opposed spaced parallel wooden frame members providing companion doorjambs, prefabricated threshold means embodying an inside doorsill spanning the space between and having its ends oriented with and cooperatively abutting corresponding lower end portions of the respectively cooperable doorjambs, and individual anchoring adapters, said threshold means also embodying an outside tread plate and body portion between said doorsill and tread plate having an upwardly opening channel and compressibly resilient weatherproofmg strip means lodged and retained in said channel, said strip means being commensurate in length with the length of said channel and having longitudinal flanges removably fitted into keying grooves which are provided for said flanges in the longitudinal side walls of said channel, each adapter comprising a one-piece strap metal bracket embodying an elongated inward bracket attaching tongue underlyinga bottom surface of an oriented end portion of said threshold means, and a complemental outward stirrup-like member'in which a cooperating bottom portion of the doorjamb is conformingly seated, said stirrup-like member embodying a relatively short first vertical leg abutting and secured to an inward vertical surface of the adjacent doorjamb, a relatively long second vertical leg abutting and secured to an outward vertical surface of said doorjamb and a companion web adjoining corresponding lower ends of said legs and on which a coordinating edge of the doorjamb rests and is firmly and retentively seated.

2. For use atop a floor in a prepared doorway, a

ready-to-use door frame construction embodying a pair of opposed spaced parallel frame members fashioned into and providing companion doorjarnbs, prefabricated threshold means embodying an inside doorsill spanning the space between and having its ends oriented with and cooperatively abutting corresponding lower end portions of the respectively cooperable doorjambs, and individual anchoring and adapter brackets secured to coordinating end portions of said threshold means and the coacting lower end portions of said doorjambs, each adapter comprising a one-piece strap metal bracket embodying an elongated inward bracket attaching tongue which is flat faced and straight from end to end and is designed and adapted to underlie a bottom surface of an oriented end portion of said threshold means, and a complemental outward stirruplike member embodying a relatively short first vertical rigid leg which is adapted to abut and be secured to an inward vertical surface of the adjacent doorjamb, a relatively long second vertical leg which is adapted to abut and be secured to an outward vertical surface of said doorjamb and a companion web portion integrally adjoining corresponding lower ends of the respective legs and on which a coordinating edge of the doorjamb rests and is firmly and retentively seated, said tongue and said legs being provided with screw-threaded headed fasteners, said fasteners being arranged to permit the over-all adapter bracket to be expeditiously mounted and securely retained in a given position. 

1. For use atop a floor in a prepared doorway, a ready-to-use doorframe construction embodying a pair of opposed spaced parallel wooden frame members providing companion doorjambs, prefabricated threshold means embodying an inside doorsill spanning the space between and having its ends oriented with and cooperatively abutting corresponding lower end portions of the respectively cooperable doorjambs, and individual anchoring adapters, said threshold means also embodying an outside tread plate and body portion between said doorsill and tread plate having an upwardly opening channel and compressibly resilient weatherpRoofing strip means lodged and retained in said channel, said strip means being commensurate in length with the length of said channel and having longitudinal flanges removably fitted into keying grooves which are provided for said flanges in the longitudinal side walls of said channel, each adapter comprising a one-piece strap metal bracket embodying an elongated inward bracket attaching tongue underlying a bottom surface of an oriented end portion of said threshold means, and a complemental outward stirrup-like member in which a cooperating bottom portion of the doorjamb is conformingly seated, said stirrup-like member embodying a relatively short first vertical leg abutting and secured to an inward vertical surface of the adjacent doorjamb, a relatively long second vertical leg abutting and secured to an outward vertical surface of said doorjamb and a companion web adjoining corresponding lower ends of said legs and on which a coordinating edge of the doorjamb rests and is firmly and retentively seated.
 2. For use atop a floor in a prepared doorway, a ready-to-use door frame construction embodying a pair of opposed spaced parallel frame members fashioned into and providing companion doorjambs, prefabricated threshold means embodying an inside doorsill spanning the space between and having its ends oriented with and cooperatively abutting corresponding lower end portions of the respectively cooperable doorjambs, and individual anchoring and adapter brackets secured to coordinating end portions of said threshold means and the coacting lower end portions of said doorjambs, each adapter comprising a one-piece strap metal bracket embodying an elongated inward bracket attaching tongue which is flat faced and straight from end to end and is designed and adapted to underlie a bottom surface of an oriented end portion of said threshold means, and a complemental outward stirrup-like member embodying a relatively short first vertical rigid leg which is adapted to abut and be secured to an inward vertical surface of the adjacent doorjamb, a relatively long second vertical leg which is adapted to abut and be secured to an outward vertical surface of said doorjamb and a companion web portion integrally adjoining corresponding lower ends of the respective legs and on which a coordinating edge of the doorjamb rests and is firmly and retentively seated, said tongue and said legs being provided with screw-threaded headed fasteners, said fasteners being arranged to permit the over-all adapter bracket to be expeditiously mounted and securely retained in a given position. 